UPSTATE & NYC MESSAGE   

DSS-4357EL 
WGIUPD                  GENERAL INFORMATION SYSTEM              02/27/01  
                   DIVISION:  Temporary Assistance 

GIS 01 TA/DC009                                                       

TO:  		Commissioners; TA Directors; FS Directors; CAP Directors 
                                                                           
FROM:  	Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner                            
       		Division of Temporary Assistance                                    
SUBJECT:  Client Benefit Access                                            

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately                                              
CONTACT PERSON:  Temporary Assistance policy: Central Region Team (518) 474-9344                                       
                                                                           
This is to remind districts that applicants/recipients (a/r) must be able to access benefits with a regular CBIC card or a vault card when the Temporary Assistance (TA) or Food Stamp (FS) benefit is available, within the following timeframes:

•	TA immediate needs benefits the same day.
•	Emergency TA benefits in sufficient time to meet the emergency.
•	By the 30th day for Family Assistance or the 45th day for Safety Net Assistance,   
•	after application for recurring TA benefits.
•	Expedited FS within five calendar days of application.
•	Within 30 days of application for non-recurring FS benefits.

Since CBIC processing timeframes may delay the a/r's receipt of a regular CBIC card, local district procedures must ensure that a vault card is available to a/r's so that their immediate needs, emergency, recurring and/or food stamp benefits can be accessed when available within the above timeframes.  In this electronic environment, any procedure that restricts the issuance of a CBIC or vault card is a denial of benefit access and is not permitted for any Temporary Assistance or Food Stamp program.  Please review your current procedures to ensure that the process to issue regular CBIC or vault cards conforms to this policy.